St. Peter's Church
Rīgas Svētā Pētera baznīca
The tallest spire on Riga's Old Town skyline. A lift takes you to a viewing platform about 72 metres up for 360-degree views of the red rooftops, the Daugava River and the Art Nouveau district.
St. Peter's Church is first recorded in 1209. Its surviving main structure is a brick Gothic building from the 15th century, one of the most important medieval buildings in the Baltic region. The wooden spire was burned and rebuilt several times. When it caught fire in 1721, Tsar Peter the Great personally joined in fighting the blaze. It was burned again in the Second World War, and in the 1970s it was rebuilt to its original design in steel, reaching a total height of about 123 metres. The golden rooster weathervane on top is one of Riga's emblems. Inside the church, a lift goes up to a viewing gallery at about 72 metres, the best spot for overlooking the Old Town. To the north you see Riga Cathedral and the Three Brothers; to the east, the New Town, the Central Market and the Academy of Sciences building; to the west, the Daugava River and, across the river, the National Library 'Castle of Light'. The interior is now mainly used for art exhibitions and concerts, and you can see its tall Gothic vaults and gravestones. Behind the church is a bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians, and legend says that rubbing the donkey's nose brings good luck. Admission including the tower climb is about 10 euros (confirm on site). The lift has limited capacity, so expect queues in peak season.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–18:00 (until 19:00 in summer; closed Mondays in winter; check official website)
Nearby sights
- House of the Blackheads & Town Hall Square
- Cat House & Līvu Square
- Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
- Powder Tower & Latvian War Museum
- Art Museum Riga Bourse
- Bastejkalns Park & City Canal
- Riga Cathedral
- Freedom Monument